A Rock in a River

By Linda Tancs

On the Missouri side of the Mississippi River is a small, rocky limestone island known as Tower Rock. Located in Perry County, the iconic landmark is part of Tower Rock Natural Area, comprising about 32 acres of upland oak-pine and mixed hardwoods. The geologic formation stands sentinel in the middle of the river and is accessible by boat. Under drought conditions, the Mississippi River Chester Gauge may drop low enough to make it possible to walk out to the rock, a happy circumstance during last year’s lingering drought.